Mary Duffy, Artist

Benefits of a Limited Vocabulary
The RDS Art Fair

Mary Duffy at the RDS 2010
at the RDS 2010
The RDS Art Fair in November was a huge event and a big undertaking for me, and my team. Over the four days of the Fair we talked to hundreds of people and I sold this painting pictured here. It took three years to complete, and I confess that I shed a tear at the end of the show, whether from sheer exhaustion or letting go this lovely piece.
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Greetings!

There are some benefits to having a limited vocabulary.  I know.  I have been busy learning Spanish. Taking this learning very seriously, I moved west and placed myself on the edge of what was once, the known universe, on the island of La Gomera.

Tormenta1
Tormenta 1

 

Yes, I missed most of the snow. But I got storms, lots of storms. In La Gomera they are called tormentas. I did a bit of painting of course, between the classes, the tormentas, the thunder, the lightening (electrica), and all the rain (la lluvia).  The locals had seen nothing like that wetness. Schools were closed as the roads ran like rivers and the seas heaved, day after day after day.  

Painting heavy seas, Mary Duffy
Painting heavy seas, Mary Duffy

 

In  my struggle to communicate (I feel the need to point out what may not be obvious to you but is really evident to me: it's an added difficulty having no hands in a culture and a language that demands wild and generous gesticulations).  

 

I learned quickly it wasn't enough just to say  `I am an artist / painter'.  I had to respond more fully, well, what kind of painter? As always, whatever the language, this question throws me into confusion. "I am a traditional painter with ooommph!"  "My work is colourful, bold, vibrant and energetic.." Sometimes I find in fact someone's only curious if I use oils, watercolours or acrylics, or perhaps, "is it foot or mouth?")**.  But could I say any of that in Espanol?  

 

No, Nada!  

 

So,  what came out instead? Expressionista!  

 

That's the kind of painter I am. Short and Sweet, interlingual and maybe even, do you think, true?

 

You can tell me now, quickly and efficiently in my new, fun, online poll... I would really like to know what you think.  Click Here to best describe my art work.  The poll is so good, you will get instant results and see if others concur with you.  

 

Hasta la pr�xima!

signature of Mary Duffy 







 


 

** The answer to that one is, I paint with

"my eyes and heart"
Rockpool iv
Rockpool iv
 

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